The Labyrinth

"Huh? What's this soft thing?" I asked, confused.

"Nggh," Airi moaned in response.

I sighed, realizing that she was on my bed again.

As I started to sit up and do a stretch, Airi suddenly pulled me back with her legs.

"Hey, what are you doing?" I asked her, slightly annoyed that she had interrupted my stretch.

"Stay like that," she said, placing my head on her chest and wrapping her arm around my neck.

Despite not bathing for an entire day yesterday, she still smelled great.

"Turn around," she said softly.

I did as she asked and found myself looking at her slender frame stretched out on the bed like a canvas.

Her eyes were open, gazing off to the right as if lost in thought.

Both of her arms were extended above her head with her fingers splayed out as if reaching for something just out of reach.

Her head was tilted to the right, and her cheeks were flushed with a delicate blush.

Though she knew I was there, she seemed hesitant to make eye contact, leaving me to admire her in this moment of peaceful stillness.

The door to our room at the inn creaked open, and Wolfsbane, the seasoned adventurer and our mentor, stepped inside.

He greeted us with a question, his deep voice resonating through the room.

"Are you guys awake yet?" As his sharp eyes scanned the room, they came to rest on Airi, with my hands positioned beside her head as if I were about to perform a push-up.

"Ooh, did I interrupt something?" A look of surprise crossed his face, and his lips curled into a playful grin.

I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "Good morning, Wolfsbane. No, you didn't interrupt anything. We were just relaxing."

Wolfsbane nodded, a hint of amusement still playing on his lips.

"Well, good morning to you too. I was just coming to inform you guys. Meet me at the adventurers' guild in 30 minutes. We're going to start the leadership test there."

This had happened before...

---

Midsummer 11th, Marcellia, Adventurers' Guild, 9:30 AM.

---

"Listen carefully, young ones," Wolfsbane said, his voice booming with authority.

"This is not just any ordinary task. This is the final test that will determine if you have what it takes to be a true adventurer and leader. The labyrinth is a treacherous place, filled with dangers and traps at every turn. Only those with a keen mind and strong leadership skills will be able to guide their party safely through it."

He paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in.

"You will be given a map, but it will not be enough to navigate the labyrinth successfully. You must rely on your wits, your skills, and most importantly, your ability to lead and work together as a team. Remember, the safety and lives of your comrades are in your hands."

Wolfsbane's gaze shifted from me to Airi, who was listening intently. "And you, Airi," he said, "don't let your petite frame fool you. You have proven yourself to be a capable fighter and a quick thinker. I expect nothing less from you in this task."

He turned back to me. "And as for you, young one, I know you have a quick mind and a sharp wit. But this task will test your ability to keep a cool head and make tough decisions under pressure. Are you up for the challenge?"

I met his gaze with confidence. "Absolutely. We won't let you down, Wolfsbane."

"Good." Wolfsbane nodded, his eyes gleaming with pride.

"Then go and head to the labyrinth. And remember, the fate of your future as adventurers and leaders rest on your shoulders."

---

Midsummer 11th, Marcellia, Adventurers' Guild's Labyrinth, 11:07 AM.

---

The stone wall loomed over us, with a riddle inscribed upon it. It was the first challenge of our journey to become adventurers and test our leadership skills.

"So, this is the first challenge," I said, looking at Airi, who was gazing at the wall with curiosity.

Her eyes widened as she read the riddle. "I am not alive, but I grow; I don't have lungs, but I need air; I don't have a mouth, but water kills me. What am I?"

"Ice!" she shouted with enthusiasm, causing one of the candles beside the door to flicker.

I shook my head with a small smile. "No, Airi. Think about it more carefully. The answer is fire."

"The answer is fire. Fire is not alive, yet it grows. It doesn't have lungs but needs air to burn, and water can extinguish it."

As I finished my sentence, the stone door slid open with a heavy rumble.

In the next chamber, we encountered a puzzle that tested our mettle.

The chamber was dimly lit, and we could barely make out the walls.

Three pedestals, each with a different symbol carved into them, stood in the center of the room.

The symbols were a moon, a star, and a sun.

It was apparent that these symbols held the key to unlocking the door leading to the next chamber.

As we approached the pedestals, we noticed an inscription etched onto the wall above them. It read, "The moon comes first, then the sun, and finally the stars. Place them in the correct order to unlock the door."

This feels like a riddle for third-graders.

"The order of the symbols is based on the order of the words in the inscription. The moon comes first, then the sun, and finally the stars," I said.

Airi looked at me with a mixture of surprise and admiration.

"You're a genius!" she exclaimed.

I walked over to the pedestals and placed the symbols in the correct order: first the moon, then the sun, and finally the star.

We heard a loud click as the door unlocked, and we made our way into the next chamber.

In the third chamber, we face a challenge that tests our strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

The chamber contains a large pool of water, with a raft on one side and a medal on the other.

However, the pool is inhabited by a group of vicious water monsters that will attack anyone who enters the water.

As I surveyed the pool, I noticed that the monsters were fixated on movement, particularly on anything that disturbed the water's surface.

I realized that the raft would not be a viable option as it would only attract the monsters' attention.

With no other option, I remembered the stories of a local monk who could walk on water.

I took a deep breath and focused on the task at hand. With each step, I concentrated on my movements and the stillness of the water beneath me.

I made my way to the medal, grabbed it, and swiftly returned to the safety of the chamber's entrance.

As I breathed a sigh of relief, I turned to Airi, who was looking at me in astonishment.

"What was that?" she asked.

"It was the ripple of the sun's energy flowing through all living things," I replied.

"It is the harmonious balance between the body and the mind, allowing us to perform feats beyond human capability."

"I don't understand..." Airi said.

"Let's just go back to Wolfsbane," I replied.

---

Midsummer 11th, Marcellia, Adventurers' Guild, 11:18 AM.

---

"Eh? The town bell didn't even ring once and you're already back," Wolfsbane said.

"Well, it's not really that hard, and I don't think it even trains our leadership ability," I replied.

"Most adventurers' groups took five hours on average, and you didn't even need an hour," Wolfsbane said.

"What can I say, we're just that good," I said with a grin.

Wolfsbane chuckled. "I suppose you're right. I will send your adventurer IDs to the inn when it's ready."

---

Midsummer 11th, Marcellia, Marc-Inn', 11:28 AM.

---

"Alright, as soon as we have our adventurer IDs, we can get a map and begin our journey to Yggdrasil," I declared confidently.

Suddenly, a fluttering of wings caught my attention, and a pigeon landed on the windowsill with a letter attached to its leg.

I quickly untied the message and read aloud,

"Dear Mika,

I hope this message finds you well. I have important news to share with you. If you plan to venture into Yggdrasil, please be advised that the minimum required level is 50.

This is a mandatory requirement, and there are no exceptions.

I suggest that you focus on leveling up first before attempting to enter Yggdrasil. The fastest way to gain experience points is by praying to the statue of each city. Although it may sound strange, it is an effective method that works wonders.

I hope this information will be helpful in your journey. Take care and stay safe out there.

Best regards, Alaric"

"Well, no rushing then," I said to myself.

"It seems this quest will take around two years or so. I'm going to study the most efficient route to pray in every city."

As I made my way to the door, Airi's voice stopped me.

"Where are you going?" she asked, her tone suspicious.

"To the library," I replied. "Do you want to join?"

"Why would I want to go to such a boring place with you?" Airi scoffed, crossing her arms and turning her head away from me. "It's not like I have nothing better to do."

Undeterred, I asked, "So, do you want to join or not?"

"Hmph," Airi huffed. "It's not like I want to go with you or anything. But if you insist, I guess I can come along. Don't get any funny ideas, got it?"